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About this blog: I've been attracted to food for good and bad reasons for many years. From eating disorder to east coast culinary school, food has been my passion, profession & nemesis. I've been a sugar addict, a 17-year vegetarian, a food and en... (More)

About this blog: I've been attracted to food for good and bad reasons for many years. From eating disorder to east coast culinary school, food has been my passion, profession & nemesis. I've been a sugar addict, a 17-year vegetarian, a food and environment pioneer, macrobiotic, Master Cleanser, ayurvedic, and officially-designated health-nut or party-girl (depending on the year). Professionally, I've worn many industry hats including: line cook, corporate chef, Food Coach, caterer, product developer, restaurant reviewer, culinary school teacher, corporate wellness educator, food co-op clerk, author, and even Cirque-du-Soleil lead popcorn concessioner! For years I managed an outdoor kitchen, deep in the bear-infested woods of Tahoe, and also for hospitals (the most unhealthy kitchen I ever worked in?), Singapore high-rises, mule-pack trips, Canadian catholic rectories, and more events than I could ever recall. Yet I still keep discovering. Actually, I adapt everyday by new lessons learned from teachers, customers and students. However there is one food truth I now hold sacrosanct: Eaters are motivated by pleasure. So no matter what we discuss here - recipes or restaurants, food politics or pairings, local events, food as art, or even as God, I will always come from a high-vibe, party perspective. Oh I do still long to change the world with great tasting food, but know in my heart, "If it ain't fun, it don't get done!" So - wanna come to the Food Party? By the way - it's a potluck. (Hide)

Solo in Spain

Google the link...It's a story about single people having a blast, despite what years of married-people studies tried to convince us. Not only are single folks healthier, happier, and more self assured, we weigh less and are having more sex! Tonight looking out my million-euro view in Granada, Spain, I certainly wouldn't object to Roberto from Seville's SeeByBike, Luca sweet Luca from the coast, or mountain Franzan joining me for a drink and a toast to the painter of this awe-inspiring landscape that stretches as far a front and around as one can see. Or for that matter, Mercedes, my gracious Airbnb host who lives just down the street, to join in salud as well.

Pero no hay problema, I'm having a wonderful time with just solo yo, a SAAZ (Damm) lager, and the sun, clouds, city, and snow-capped peaks that surround my rooftop terrace this afternoon.

This trip has transported me from a Sevillian wedding to an Atlantic hippie surf town, the western Sierra Nevada, and now ancient Granada, home to the majestic Moorish Alhambra palace.

I've learned everything about driving in Spain is smaller, and every car is banged up. They say the Spanish park "with their ears." I've learned the reason why so many non-native English speakers know some English is because of songs played on the radio. I've learned it's really hard to find a pepper grinder, broccoli and kale in Spain, and that I love home-cooked Spanish meals more than much restaurant faire (more veggies are served at home). And I've confirmed what I already knew - traveling and eating alone, no matter where you are in the world, can be wonderfully fulfilling and a down right blast.

It's hard to post remotely on this blog and pictures are really problematic. So we'll leave it like this for now and write more when the conditions allow.

Posted by Kirsten,
a resident of another community,
on Jan 9, 2018 at 10:43 am

Marriage is right for the people who want to be married, being single is right for the people who want to be single. They both have benefits and irritants. One of humankind's biggest failings is thinking that what is right for ME should be right for YOU. Free to be, you and me.

Posted by Novelera,
a resident of Midtown,
on Jan 12, 2018 at 3:36 pmNovelera is a registered user.

Thanks for this, Laura. I traveled alone to Spain a couple of years ago and had a fabulous time. Unlike you, I don't like to drive in other countries. I'm cursed with the worst sense of direction possible and I hate to get lost. But the trains are wonderful, especially the high-speed ones. Barcelona to Madrid in 3 hours!

I loved Granada. My Spanish is good. When I arrived at the hotel I'd picked from a guide book, the wonderful guy at reception spent a LOT of time trying to find me somewhere else to stay. After about an hour of this, I discovered that they did have double rooms. He was just trying so very hard to find me a more economical single somewhere else! Problem solved. I was happy to pay for the double room. I assume things are the same now. When I was in Granada, they told me it was the only place in Spain where you get free tapas when you buy a drink. I had a lot of fun in a bar there rooting along with the locals for the Spanish National Basketball Team.

The Alhambra is one of the most magnificent places I've ever been. I have dozens of great pictures. I did make a tactical error, walking up to Mirador San Nicolas instead of taking a cab up and then walking down! The view was worth it, even if I was sweating when I got there. And I was able to get a ticket for the afternoon visit to the Alhambra itself the following day.

Posted by musical,
a resident of Palo Verde,
on Jan 15, 2018 at 7:06 am

Ah, Wanderlust! Solo travel is definitely an exercise in freedom and self-direction. Flexibility. More interaction with locals and other travelers, less inhibited. Adventure or escapade. I'll date my first trip through Spain as still under Franco, black and white compared to subsequent trips in color (East Germany similar impression). With backpack and railpass in my younger tight-budget days. Still managed plenty of great food in picturesque locales, mostly serendipitous. Trains much more modern now (as @Novelera appreciates), but olden times had charm, even in tourist season. Many all-night segments stuffed in a 2nd-class compartment with 6 or 8 others sporting a diversity of passports. Never long before introductions all around and bottles of wine magically appeared, paired with assorted cheese and breads. A Moveable Feast.